In just one week, Dubai will see two major expansions to its transportation infrastructure, with the recently launched Ferry Dubai come on stream alongside the new Jebel Ali station on the Dubai Metro Red Line.

On Friday, Shaikh Mohammed officially launched Ferry Dubai - the latest water transport service offered by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) - at the Dubai International Boat Show 2011 help at Jumeirah Beach.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, was briefed by RTA chairman Matar Mohammed Al Tayer about the ferry, which will serve Dubai Creek and the coastal line stretching along Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina and the waterfront developments.

The 32-metre-long ferry, which travels at a maximum speed of 24 knots/hour, can carry 100 passengers and is fitted with all modern entertainment facilities.

Al Tayer commented that the first stage will see two ferries serving a number of lines; this will be increased in later stages to ten ferries.

Ferry Dubai will improve access for tourists as well as locals

Dubai Metro

This Friday will also see all trains of the Dubai Metro run the full length of the 53 kilometre-long Red Line.

On Saturday, The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the opening of the much-awaited Jebel Ali Station on the Red Line catering to thousands of employees working in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza).

“The Jebel Ali Station is mainly intended to serve Jebel Ali area and in particular the Jafza as well as Jebel Ali Port,” Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said.

Jebel Ali houses around 6,600 companies employing more than 129,000 people.

The opening of this station will bring the total number of operational stations to 27 out of a total of 29 stations.

Two other stations, the Energy Station and Jebel Ali Industrial Station, will be opened in future depending on passenger demand.

Jebel Ali Station is the only station which has been built on the ground while all the other stations are either elevated or underground.

It measures about 132 metres in length and is 29 metres wide and has a total capacity of handling 11,000 passengers per hour in each direction.